Shows that the task of keeping a journal, as defined within the writing-to-learn model, has two salient assessment features: (1) the journals differentiate between students at a particular grade level, and (2) they show a growth in sophistication over successive years. (14 references) (Author/MKR)

Projects and investigations, which provide evidence of communication in mathematics, are discussed as a means to the direct assessment of the true objectives of the curriculum. Included are discussions of appropriate assessment, authentic assessment, and assessment of oral communication. (23 references) (Author/MKR)

Outlines the potential for using whole language for remediation of reading disabilities. Criticizes current approaches to remediation. Discusses six principles of whole language instruction that are effective for remediation. Describes four whole-language programs that have successfully remediated students. Suggests alternative assessment…

Describes a laboratory activity "Observing Reactions in Solution." The activity can be used either as a laboratory or as a performance assessment for a high school chemistry class. (PR)

Discusses different approaches to using student journals in mathematics, including showing a heuristic and practicing skills, creating routine and nonroutine problems using real-life situations, documenting and analyzing mathematical thinking, and following up. (10 references) (MKR)

Outlines a CRADLE (Collections, Reflections, Assessment, Documentation, Linkages, and Evaluation) approach to portfolio development and use in English-as-a-Second-Language classrooms. This approach focuses on a long-term commitment to portfolio usage by teachers, students, parents, and administrators. (MDM)

Describes one middle school teacher's approach to promoting self-assessment through the use of portfolios in an English-as-a-Second-Language classroom. The portfolios include goal cards, time planning sheets, and projects. It is suggested that goal-centered activities help to build an assessment partnership between students and their teacher.…

A secondary physics teacher used video assessments in science as an economical assessment form that required students to use the scientific method, explanation, feedback, critical thinking, and metacognition. When using video assessment in optics, he found his scoring was not biased and that students improved their performance following video…

Describes five formats of alternative assessment (journal writing, open-ended problems, portfolios, interviews, and performance assessments) for mathematics and science, how these methods can be implemented, and benefits of each type. Samples are included. (13 references) (Author/MKR)

Presents an assessment activity to determine the ability of students to devise a plan for solving a problem and recording their work while solving the problem. Uses the theme of planning and organizing a birthday party. (MKR)

Maintains that continued over reliance on traditional skills-based assessment of reading abilities provides the whole-language teacher with little, if any, useful information for instructional planning. Suggests informal assessment procedures that focus on the language learner and provide a rich information source on which to base instructional…

A 3-year pilot study of alternative assessments for over 500 beginning teachers revealed numerous possibilities, including high-inference classroom observations, semistructured interviews, structured simulation tasks, performance-based assessment center exercises, portfolios, videotaped teaching episodes, and revamped multiple-choice examinations.…

Discusses the use of assessment portfolios and the process of creating a portfolio from the perspective of a teacher educator using portfolios in a methods course and that of a preservice teacher enrolled in the course. (MKR)

Examines the traditional role assessment has played in college placement, reasons why traditional instruments have been criticized, and alternative affective and cognitive measurements. (MG)

Historically, student teachers learn to evaluate students much as they do many teaching elements--from personal classroom experiences. In 1992-93, four faculty members at California State University (San Marcos) piloted a team-taught middle-level teacher education program that modeled effective teaching and assessment practices for use with young…